Boise State University Top Questions

If i could go back in time i would tell myself that college is alot harder and you need more time to study. i didn not take college very serious my first year and i would tell myself that college is more important than hanging out with your friends. you need more time to complete assignments and that you also need hours to study, not just a few minutes a day. i would tell myself that you need more focus and that if your having trouble that you need to ask for help. there are so many people that can help you, all you have to do is ask. i would tell myself to be confident and always do a good job at assignments, not just half way done. i would also tell myself to relax and have fun

I would tell myself to work hard, because working hard will pay off later. Knowledge is power.

Your college counselor lied! You DO need to take calculus! Statistics is not a valid substitute! Study in a field that follows up towards accomplishing what you truly love to do, and what you see yourself doing for the rest of your life. Education is the stepping stone for a career, but it is also a journey. Life only offers so many chances, "carpe diem." This world is yours, take it.

I would have to say that the biggest part I wasn't prepared for was the fees and costs. I feel like I really understand now what it means to be a poor college student. Going to school full-time and working part-time is not what I had in mind when I thought about college. I would also stress how important it is that I physically go to class! The last thing I would tell myself is to get involved in as many activities intrested me, that's how you meet friends and can truly enjoy college to its fullest.

Try harder, it won't kill you! And forget about everyone else's plans, your own plans are hard enough to manage.

I would advise myself to take two jobs in place of the one I'd had in the year before going to college. That way I would have had a lot less worries about money and may have even had a job while going to school at Napa.

I would advise myself first that college is not nearly as intimidating as it seems. I would advise myself not to wait to go to school, but to go as soon as possible, opportunities would be presented to me much easier that way. It would be a much easier transition to go to college right after high school then to wait and let other aspects of life make college that more challenging. I would also tell myself that anyone can go to college. I think then I thought because i didn't have a lot of money college was an improbability. I now know that with the right mindset and effort anyone can go to college and do well.

Pay more attention in all my classes even electives. They are alot harder as college electives then in high school. Take notes on what you think may be a main topic on an up coming test and study in small time periods; 30 minutes at a time. There is no need to put everything off to the last second because you end up forgetting half of it or its so scrammbled around in your head you end up mixing up your anwsers! Socializng is fun but try making a study group out of it. That way you can hang with your friends and study at the same time.

If I could go back in time to give myself advice I would really stress the importance of selecting a school that will have the best program for what you want to major in. In addition to selecting a school based on the program, I would advise myself to save money for those times where you might be a little short, which does happen in college. I would also advise myself to not take life for granted enjoy every moment of it, enjoy not having to be responsible for every aspect because when college gets here you will have to step up a little, but dont worry it isn't as hard as you may believe.

The advice that I would give myself would be to sign up really for classes. This would give student an advantage to getting into the classes they need and getting the time that would best fit their schedule. Also my advice would be not to stress out on yourself to bad, there are many other students going through the same thing and there are many people on campus to help you get to where you need to be as a student. Stressing yourself out only affects you as a student and can make things worse. Another good tip, go to class! Even though the teachers don't take roll and don't care if you show up, it will hurt students in the long run if they don't go to class. Finally the best advice I would give to myself would be to have fun and experience life as a college student, get involved with clubs and other extracurricular activities. Have fun and work hard!

High school is just the beginning of a wonderful and amazing new life. College gives you the opportunity to meet new people, try new things and ultimately realize your true potential. Attending college also allows you to leave home and truly establish yourself as a responsible adult, living in a drastically changing world. Although it can be disheartening in the beginning, the transition from high school to college is eye opening and absolutely necessary to your furtherment as both a student and a person. The only way to truly realize your potential is to attend college and push yourself to your limits, college gives you the opoortunity to explore new worlds and do things you would otherwise never have the opportunity to do.

Be prepared, there are a lot more to college then a few simple majors and classes to enroll in. Sure, you might go in thinking that you want to be a Psychology Major, but have you ever considered Exercise Science or Multi-Ethnic studies or Early Childhood Studies? Prepare yourself to have your childhood dreams stomped on because that Engineering degree is going to be a lot more math and science than you ever want to handle and that Psychology degree does not mean you can become a Counselor after you're done. How many years is it to become a doctor? This college step is not the last step in your life, and depending on which major you choose, you may not be done with your education until you are bleeding essays and tests. But with this said, have fun. Don't stress. You have a lot of time to figure out your education and life pathway. You need to get involved, meet people, don't be afraid to ask the professors for help, and just try to understand what your classes are talking about. Do this, and college will be fly by.

For the parents: I know that it can be really hard to see your child go off into a world were you can no longer proctect them like you once could. But help them and incourage them. They need it more that you think. For the students: Take advantage of your opportunities. Meet new people, take in new experiences, new foods and ways of living. Get involved and be active. Its a very inspiring atmosphere to be in. Everyone belives they can change the world. And many do, in there own little ways.

Finding the right college should be very important to a new student, but it shouldn't be the end of the world if the student ends up picking a college that isn't their top choice. Students and parents need to remember that transferring is always an option if a school doesn't fit as well as a student thought it would. Also, just because a school isn't your top choice, if it feels like someplace you want to be -- go for it! Opportunities await at every school no matter the location or price. I feel that it's really important for students to live on campus to make the most of their college experience. There are things on campus that one will experience that he or she won't get by living at home or off-campus. Make the most out of your late teens/early twenties while you can! It's a few years that one will never get back, and the experience isn't the same when you're 30!

Not only look at a campus environment but also look around the city to find attractions that suit your lifestyle.

Find a nice balance between the school of your dreams and the affordable local school you know of. Chances are, you can get a great start to your education at a close, inexpensive school and then pursue more advanced studies at a more prestigious school later. Make sure you live on or near the campus, as this is the only way to get the true college experience! You meet more people, have more access to the school's activities, and have a room right near your classes. Study hard, because scholarships are far more lucrative than most jobs out there and will pay off down the road.

When looking at colleges it is important to visit the colleges the student is most interested in. I found college visits very helpful. When on a visit or a campus tour the information provided is helpful but what is important is the feel of the campus for the student. A student will know after some time spent on campus if that college is right for him or her. After the desired colleges are choosen and the student is accepted then the school's information provied for the family on the campus tours will come in handy. It is important for the student to choose the campus he or she feels most fitting and will porvide the most oppertunities. The first semester is difficult socially for many. Many students become involved with greek life with in the frst year. I do not recommend this. Most times students choose greek life as a method of guaranteed friends. I would recommend a student to go through his or her first year before becoming involved in greek life. Then if greek life is till desried proper research into the organizations foundation would be helpful in choosing a house most fitting.

My advice for students is to evaluate yourself. Take the time to decide what YOU want out of your college experience. Only you can decide what you truly want. Sit down and consider all of your options and decide your criteria that will help you make your decision. Make your decision based on what your personal likes and dislikes are in regards to school size, class size, campus activity and other similar things. Once you start attending school, make the most of your experience. Get involved on campus and make your academics your #1 priority. Have fun along the way!!

The main thing I would tell students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to find someplace that you can be involved with something you love. You have to feel a connection to your school and take part in a club or organization that allows you to express your diversity and grow. It should be a place that embraces you and who you want to become and it should envelope you in an enviroment that supports learning and expanding your horizons. You should never feel out of place or like you're different and when you find the right school I think you will know. It will just feel right and you'll realize that it's where you want to be to grow into the adult that you are destined to become.

Celebrate your success of graduating high school, but then get ready to work. When you go to college, you are putting yourself into an environment that will shape who you will become. The best advise I can give is these steps. First, determine what you want to gain from your college experience, whether it be a great career, an outlet to express your talents and abilites, or simply a change in surroundings. Once you've established this, use tools such as the internet to seek schools that excel in the critera that you've determined priorty. When narrowing down schools, take into consideration cost. Once you've limited it down to the final few schools, it's very important to take a campus tour. Talk to students, sit in on lectures, and look at housing. Really get a feel for the environment; this is where you'll be while you're becoming you! Once you've picked your school, you've got to prepare for the upcoming semester. Be sure to enroll, find an academic adviser, and choose your classes wisely. Make sure to apply for as many scholarships as possible. Work hard, but remember to enjoy this transitional time.

I would say to stay in the residence halls, at least for your freshman year of college because I feel like I really learned a lot by doing that. By staying on campus you have a lot less to worry about because you dont have to drive anywhere, you walk to all of your classes, you meet so many new people, and I think you are a lot more involved with what goes on on-campus. It just seems like you really get the full experience that the college has to offer, because you are on-campus for the majority of the time. It's very easy to go get help from teachers when you need it because you dont have to drive all the way back out to campus and you can just walk instead. I met a lot of new friends that I will be keeping in touch with, including people who are from other countries, so overall I just think it's one of the best things that you can experience.

The college journey is a challenging time, however it can also be very exciting. It?s exciting because the student is becoming an adult for the first time and is able to make their own decisions. It?s an important for the student and parent to compromise on a good school, and to communicate well with each other. One thing to consider is how far the school is from home. It?s important that the student stays close to home at first because when they are out on their own they don?t have to follow rules anymore, they make their own. With them nearby, the parents can still give guidance so they are on track for their education. There are many characteristics to look at when choosing a good school. The one thing I mentioned is a good place to start because that will still give a student freedom but also the parents have an advantage to watch them do well and exceed in their efforts in a better education.

Do not overthink your gut feeling. If your gut tells you a school is right, then follow your instinct.

First, make sure your child is ready for college. I think some students start college with no clue to what major they are interested so they end up wasting valuable time. Find a school with that prides itself with it's campus life, and I do not mean in a drinking fashion. Look at the graduation rate of students who graduate within 4 years.

My best advice to give to parents and students would be to follow your instinct feeling. I feel it is important to be reasonable and weigh your options, but the end decision should be what you ultimately want. You should not hold back from attending your top pick of college or being involved in college activities because of some silly reason. When finding the right college for you, you should keep an open mind and set few limits for yourself. Be optimistic about your possilities; whatever you set your mind to, you can achieve! Downsizing lists, comparisons and pros/cons all help to organize your ideas. You should start out by completing some of these steps. But ultimately, it will be your instinct deciding for you though. Do what feels right!

Parents should be willing to help their kids through their college search and application process. Many times theyve ?been there and done that?, and have wisdom and advice to share. Parents also need to realize that college is an important time for their student to grow, explore the world, and find out who they are. College can be scary (for the student AND their parents!) but it?s also a fun and exciting time in your life! In the end, it should be the student?s choice where they want to go to school. You dont want to leave with any regrets about where you "should have" gone. Whether you know what you want to major in or not, part of the fun of college is branching out and trying new things; take classes that sound interesting. Engineering major? Take a theater class! Try out a rock climbing class at the rec center! Take a psych or sociology class! Try your hand at chemistry! It?ll be lots of fun, youll meet many new and different people (yes, students with art majors are different than students interested in biomedical research), and youll sure learn more about yourself in the process!

Any college can be the right college for you. The best trick is just to know the basic likes and dislikes. Climate, size of the class room, size of the campus, do they have your desired degree. The easiest way to enjoy your college experience is also the hardest; try everything. Participate in all the seemingly rediculous activites your college offers. Say yes if some one asks you to hangout, join a club, get to know your professors. Learn to live on your own, the best way to discover who you are is to experience as much as possible.

Finding the right college isn't easy, therefore parent and student must do hands on research about school and compare it with few other school around it. Once parent/student finds out the importance and benefits of the school in the city or state then that particular school can be compared with school outside of the city or state. In other words, the search for school is as important as choosing which courses to take.

The most sound advice I can give to any prospective college student who is searching for the right college: find the right fit. This answer proves more difficult than it lets on; it requires some self exploration. One must ask "Why do I want to go to college?" Asking this question represents the first step in finding the right college. Examining strengths and abilities, as well as weaknesses and shortfalls, allows one to truly determine if he or she is ready to find, "the right college." When looking for the right fit for schools, talk to a school guidance counselor or explore a university or community college website. If possible, e-mail admissions officers at different schools; these people are experts at helping find college communities that foster a prosepective student's academic interests and career goals. Visit schools and speak with current students. Ask them if they like the school and ask them if they would choose the school again if they could. Most important to remember for the college experience, a students greatest limiting factors are themselves; ivy league names do not keep one from flunking or guarantee success and not every rumor about a school is true.

I believe that finding the right college actually depends on your own personal motivation and goals. If you know what you want to do and you are motivated to accomplish it then it makes sense to spend the money to get into a good institution. If, however, you are undecided and not really motivated then you should either take some time off of school or go to a community college until you find something that drives you to be better. I don't see any point in going to school and wasting time and money to drink, party, and play around. If that is your motivation for going to school do it at a community college. If you are going to spend thousands of dollars per semester for an education then decide to make the most of that education and put your school work ahead of your social life. This does not mean that you can have no social life it just means that you have to prioritize your activities. That is the advice that I give to people that ask me about going to school.

Sometimes starting at a community college can help make a better choice on which university will accomplish your goals. Never chose a college just to get away from home because starting out small can better prepare you and parents for the financial needs and experience. College is different from high school and gives you more diversity and you can become more open minded and accepted of peoples difference. Always remember that college what you work for is what you get, never expect for someone to hold your hand or just give you a grade. You learn to be responsible and be held accountable for your actions as well.

Finding the right college is one of the most important and possibly one of the most difficult decisions that will be made. You'll never know if you've made the right decision until you're actually there but if you take the time to do a few small things before making the final decision, there is a good chance you will be happy in the end. First of all, use search websites, like Fastweb.com to find out what's available that fit your interests. From that list you can start to narrow it down. When you have it narrowed down to 4 or 5 schools, visit them all. Some schools look so great on paper but once on campus it just doesn't feel right. I made the mistake of not visiting some of my choices because it would cost to much. I found that it was much more expensive to move there, and then hate it and decide to transfer somewhere else in the middle of the year. Be informed. Be cautious. And in the end you will Be happy with your decision.

Make the most of your money. Go to school at the right time in your life.

Don't be dicouraged ask local students for the best advise, they are more then willing to give it, because they have been were you are before. Good luck!

To make sure that the college their child attends has lots of options for them. That the school has the area of study they want to major/minor in, lots of schools offer classes for a major/minor but don't have a lot of resources for them. As for the students themselves, they should make sure that they can handle the commitment no matter where they go, that there is at least one thing that sparks their interest so much, that it inspires them to want to learn more. A door leading to another door and so forth. In order to succed in school one must want to be there in the first place.

really look into the school you want to attent and ask a few students about thier experiences

It think that every student should experiance living on campus their first year. It gets him or her involved. Involvement helps students to feel included, wanted, happy, motivated... Each student knows they are not alone in anything and I believe it keeps them going to school.

To sum it up in just a few simple words: Be social. Students should really experience all they can in their college years. They are your prime years. Meet people and enjoy the company. Colleges get so many different people from so many different places, there is no better place to experience culture than on a college campus.

The advice I would give is to know what you are looking for. Are you looking for academic horizons to challenge yourself, where competition is steep or to make life-long friends and have an active social life, participating in many different campus organizations? I would want to know the size of my classes--the teacher to student ratio because this does make a difference in making you (as a student) feel valid and able to approach your professor. I would make sure that the school I attended was safe and did not tolerate hazing and excessive drinking. You do not want your first experiences as a young person away from home to be fraught with negative behaviors and bad habits. Lastly, I would pick a school in which I could be in "my own skin" and feel like I belonged and was accepted by my peers and allowed to express my individuality. I would want to look forward to the new changes, chances, and overall transformation that would soon be mine to face, as I traveled my way through the college experience. Ups and downs, good or bad--what a ride, in the end!

Go to the local state run schools. These schools are cheap and offer excellent opportunities for students. Many may argue that these schools will not get you as far as an ivy league school or someplace with more prestige. Really though, just getting a degree, that proves a college education, is more than enough. Sure those big name schools may have connections that will get you jobs right on graduation day, but is it really worth quadrupling the expense of your college education? You may have to search for your job with a degree from a state school, but you will find a quality job with your college education. Most employers do not care where you got your degree from, because to them, a college degree simply means that you are trainable. If you have the determination to get a college degree, than employers know they can train you to do anything encountered on the job.

I would have to tell them that sometimes the school you want to go to won't fit your lifestyle or budget. sometimes you have to settle for less then you want in the beginning but in the end you should find that you came out with whatever you wanted; a degree, friends, a good job, ect.

Make sure that you know about the Cleary Act and know what happens at the school before you send your child. Understand the way the security department works and know what the dorm facillities are like if they are living away from home. Know what the teachers are willing to do for the kids if they need help in their subjects and get a feel for the teachers you can usually tell from conversation and demeanor if a teacher really cares about your child's success. Know the administrative policies and explain them to the student before they come so if they need anything they know where to go and who they need to talk to. Get a feel for the students that will be around your child if you don't feel comfortable bring that up to them and discuss it talk to the child and see how he or she will handle different situations that they have not been exposed to yet expecially if they are from a small town going to a big city.

One of the first pieces of advice I share with anyone is to get plugged in to a network on campus. First, be sure you have an advisor. Then seek out clubs or groups that interest you and network with other students. To be successful, I have found that I must be willing to ask questions! Someone on campus, whether it's a fellow student, professor, advisor or administrator, will be able to direct me to the answer.

When deciding on a college to attend and a career to pursue it is extremely important to consider your long term plans and be prepared for unforeseen changes in your circumstances. I experienced a great deal of frustration because I failed to do this thoroughly. An unexpected turn of events, specifically my family's move to another state for financial reasons, forced me to transfer to a different university. A degree better suited to my goals was available at my new university, but this meant that nearly 30 credits that I had already earned were no longer useful, and that is not to mention that I paid thousands for those credits! Therefore, when beginning a degree program, I would recommend that you thoroughly consider your options and investigate how easily credits tranfer from the school of your choice. Doing this will help to reduce your frustration if you choose, or are forced, to change your plans.

Make sure the school is located somewhere you can spend four years of your life.

Some people go into college with a detailed four year plan and some don't even know what classes they're taking their first year. Either way, whatever college you choose it's the right path to take. If you are in doubt, aske those who missed out on the experience. Remember to become involved in your surroundings, (like with the other students in your class, the on-campus organizations, or in-class discussions) the more you get to know others, in turn you will get to know yourself. Try something new everyday or even just once a month. You'll be amazed at the things you've been missing out on. Above all, know that you are not alone. There are a lot of people that want to see you succeed; your friends, family, and especially faculty (though come test time it seems they're all against you). So find your way to those people on campus that smile at you -and even smile at those who don't. In the end you want to take with you an education in academia and humanities, too.

My advive to those looking for the perfect college is that which ever school you choose, you are the one responsible for making it the best fit for yourself. You will never know how perfect the school is until you attend it. Then you must take the opportunities presented and grow as an individual and learn from the mistakes. Each person you meet at the school was put there for a reason, so keep your eyes open for who is there to teach you a lesson and who is there to become a very influential part of your life. Appreciate all the good and bad, tough and easy, fun and hard because this is a very significant part of life and a time that forms your values and teaches you what you will need to be successful in the future. Also, many are not given the chance to attend college, so make sure to enjoy the experience!

In order to find the right college for a student to attend, it is wise to visit the campus once or twice. However, do not dwell on what the campus will look like, if it will meet your standards, whether you will fit in, paying for it without taking out loans, because, ultimately, the school you attend will have so many links to find you absolutely everything you could imagine. The important key to getting the most out of what the school offers, though, is push through the uncomfortable feelings of making a mistake and let your voice be heard. Whether its starting up a new club, working on a service project, asking questions during class, discovering what lies in a building you've never been in, or even getting questions resolved by asking professors/students/campus employees. Let your voice be heard and break through to obtain the most you can from your college choice.

College is about reaching your dreams. Do not just choose a school just based on one criteria such as how close it is to home, or costs. I chose BSU on only two criteria, it is close to home and they offer a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering. I have told several people I really want to be an airline pilot after graduation, and I actually looked at other schools such as Embry Riddle. However due to cost and location I chose BSU instead. You should make sure you choose the school having the best program for you. I like Mechanical Engineering but I enjoy aviation even more. When choosing colleges, yes tuition is expensive at other schools sometimes, especially if you applying as an out of state student, but if other schools offer a degree you would rather have, go for it. There is always financial aid and student loans. College is supposed to be the best time of your life, so make the best out of it by doing what you really want to do.

The one piece of advice that I would give to parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience would be this: Be sure to find a college or university that is going to orient you to the school thoroughly. When I first arrived at Boise State University, I was so confused about where buildings were located, how to ask for help when needed...even where to find the nearest restroom! I attended a mandatory school orientation session a few weeks before I began attending Boise State. At first, I was upset that the university would force me to attend something like orientation, but after it was all said and done...I was so thankful! I have been happy ever since...I learned so much from that one day, and gained so much confidence about attending Boise State. Good luck!